Afiesere Community Gives Contractor Two-Week Ultimatum to Resume Abandoned Power Substation Project

Residents of Afiesere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have issued a two-week ultimatum to AAKs and Bros Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) substation project, demanding that the firm return to site and complete the long-abandoned project or face “a decisive community action.”

The peaceful protest, held at the project site, saw hundreds of indigenes—including youths, women, and elders—calling on the Federal Government and the Ministry of Power to intervene and compel the contractor to fulfill its obligations.

“We Can No Longer Endure Darkness,” Says Community Leader

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the President-General of Afiesere Community, Mr. Luke Umukoro, decried what he described as the “unserious attitude” of the contractor, noting that the community had endured years of total blackout despite hosting major oil and gas infrastructure.

“Afiesere is an oil-producing community with a flow station, compressor station, gas station, a manifold, and over 40 oil wells — yet we live in darkness,” Umukoro lamented.

Adding that, “We are giving AAKs and Bros Nig. Ltd two weeks to return to site or the Federal Government should re-award the contract to a more competent firm.”

He explained that all major equipment needed for the substation had already been delivered, but work had stalled for months without any clear reason.

Protesting Members of Afiesere community

Youths and Women Demand Urgent Action

Supporting the position of the community leadership, Mr. Ejotubu Erubure (Youth Chairman), Madam Josephine Ughellidoro, and Mr. Joseph Ugbe jointly appealed to the Federal Ministry of Power to ensure the completion of the project before the end of the year.

“We have suffered power outage for too long. This project is our hope to restore light and development to Afiesere and neighbouring communities,” they said.

TCN Denies Owing Contractor

Reacting to the protest, Engr. Chukwuemeka Kenneth, Assistant General Manager of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ughelli, confirmed that the project was awarded to AAKs and Bros Nig. Ltd, but stated that TCN was not owing the contractor.

He said, “What is left to procure is the cable for wiring from the equipment into the control room. I believe this project should have been completed long ago because all other materials are already in place.”

Contractor Promises Completion Before Christmas

When contacted, the Project Manager of AAKs and Bros Nig. Ltd, Mr. Timothy Ogbebor, assured the community that power would be restored before December 25, 2025.

“Once the cables arrive from the port and are transported to site, we will complete the work within a month. By God’s grace, Afiesere will have light before Christmas,” Ogbebor stated.

The Afiesere community has vowed to monitor progress closely and maintain peaceful engagement, but insists that failure to act within the deadline will force residents to take “decisive action” to press for government intervention.